.22 pistol suggestions?

[Rastoff]

Both my wife and I tend to pull down a little as we shoot. She does it more than I do, but I believe it is recoil anticipation for both of us.

I think a .22 would be a good idea to help work on trigger control without having to worry about the recoil issue as much.

Anyone have a recommendation for a .22 pistol to use for learning trigger control? Or, is it a bad idea and we should just stick with the .45?

[skipsan]

For value, it's pretty hard to beat a Ruger 22/45. Many confIgurations and you should be able to do very nicely for less than $400. A nice upgrade is a Volquartsen trigger package which will set you back another hundy. The only downside (other than cost) of the V-trigger, is that your 1911s will probably seem a little crude in comparison.

[herd48]

Ruger Mk II.

[gamma72]

get a conversion kit for your 1911. you get to practice with the same controls and ergonomics. if you dont want to mess around with your 1911, get one of those 1911-22 pistols. they are very affordable.

[DANCESWITHGUNS]

The Ruger, Buckmark are used by many and people seem to like them, they can be somewhat of a pain to clean though.

[Horoscope Fish]

One of the Ruger MK pistols would be my first choice, though the trigger pulls will need work to get them as good as they can be and I highly suggest having the work done; the difference will be night and day. Volquartsen parts are not required but they are popular. The sear alone will make a huge improvement.

Right behind the MK's would be the Browning Buckmark pistols. They'll need work done on them, just like the Ruger, to get the trigger pull to be everything it can be and some people just flat out prefer them over the Ruger pistols. I've owned both pistols and I'd own either again, happily.

Then there's the Smith and Wesson Model 41. This is pretty much the creme de la creme of .22 production pistols, and you pay for it. IMO, the '41 is good to go from the box. If you're serious about a .22 pistol this is The One Pistol all the Rugers and Buckmarks and conversion units are leading you to. Expensive, but worth everything you pay for it.

Any of the above would be fine for your purposes.

[TaxPhd]

Originally Posted by DANCESWITHGUNS

The Ruger Buckmark is used by many and people seem to like them, they can be somewhat of a pain to clean though.

I don't know about the Ruger version, but the Browning Buckmark is a fine pistol.

[iGun]

A .22 for practice? Great idea. I've lost count of how many rounds I have through my Ruger Mark III hunter. Enough that I had to replace the firing pin and extractor with Volquartsen parts. I actually suggest against trigger work if this is going to be a trainer. As much as I love my "glass rod" 1911 triggers, I think I've improved more recently by shooting my Glocks. Learn to shoot really well with a stock trigger first. Then, once the equipment becomes the limitation, think about upgrading.

[gamma72]

^^ like I said. conversion kit.

[El Gringo]

All good sugestions above. I too cast my vote for a Ruger... I have a MKII and the new SR22 and I would say to get a .22 pistol cause heck, everyone should own a .22 pistol... or two...or three, ect.

I also had the same problem as you and your wife. I solved mine with dry firing and keeping my eye on that front sight to be sure that there was no movement. Now when I shoot live ammo I still do the same... my eye dont even blink when that round goes off. Trick is to get into your dryfire mindset when your actually getting ready to bust a cap and you will keep your eye on that front sight without a flinch or even blinking your eye. Do enough dry fire then hit the range; you'll see what I mean.

Still get a .22 for the fun factor.

[iGun]

Originally Posted by El Gringo

...keeping my eye on that front sight to be sure that there was no movement. ...keep your eye on that front sight without a flinch or even blinking your eye.

The Gringo's got good advice for you. Keep you eyes open when the gun fires. I've seen more improvement from this single tip than pretty much anything else.

[wera32]

I have a suggestion. Stay away from the Sig Sauer Mosquito. Feels great in the hand but mine won't run. Sig says use Blazers. Still won't work. What a headache.

Love my Browning Nomad and I loved the S&W 622 that some low life stole from me.

[Brian48]

Big fan of the Ruger MK II. The MK IIIs are OK, but I still prefer the simpler MKIIs.

[Rob S]

Over the years I have had a large variety of 22 pistols. I'm not trying to diss anyone's favorite recommendation, but I have to agree with the people who have suggested a Browning Buckmark or using a 22 conversion kit on a 1911 frame. I have used an Advantage Arms conversion for several years with good success.

[mike.h]

I too have a couple ruger mk2's, but the Kimber 22lr conversion is pretty sweet.

Mike

[gamma72]

i use my cheap S&W 22a now to shoot cheap 22LR ammo. Also, i use a CMMG 22 conversion kit to shoot 26 rounds of 22LR fun in every magazine. :P

[Sheepdog 910]

I recently bought one of the Colt-Umarex rail guns. I have been very happy with it. It's been very reliable except with Federal ammo. It's also more than accurate enough for me. The trigger is a little heavier than my carry 1911's , but since the fire control parts are interchangeable, I've been think about putting in one of the drop in kits through Brownell's.

[mkflyfisherman]

I'd vote for the conversion unit. Either a Marvel unit 2 or an Adavantage Arms non target unit. Great fun and training with the same grip/trigger as your 1911. /MK

[nwsailor]

I had a Buckmark I miss it, it was flawless. I use a GSG 1911-22 had a problem with my slide cracking but the CS was good. I've had it out on the range for 100ish rounds so far ok. That being said I do miss my Buckmark 1000s of rounds and never one hiccup!!!

[chucksolo69]

How about a nice little Browning 1911 .22 A1. This little gun is the most reliable .22 I have ever owned. Cycles every brand of .22 I have fed it, Federal and Winchester bulk, Remington Thunderbolts and CCI Blazers and Mini Mags. Excellent gun and breaks down EXACTLY like a full size 1911. Some say the trigger pull is very heavy, not mine though. It shoots like a dream. Capable of 1-2 inch groups At 10 yards and 2-4 inch groups at 15. Not a genuine target gun, but good enough.

[TimG45ACP]

Originally Posted by nwsailor

I had a Buckmark I miss it, it was flawless. I use a GSG 1911-22 had a problem with my slide cracking but the CS was good. I've had it out on the range for 100ish rounds so far ok. That being said I do miss my Buckmark 1000s of rounds and never one hiccup!!!

I love my BuckMark. Problem is my wife does, too. Bought a second. Problem solved.

[dbarn]

What can I say? I'm a sucker for the old school stuff.

I think Colt got it right years ago. You can still find them on Gun Broker.

That's not to say I won't eventually get another Ruger or Buckmark with a threaded barrel. Both are fine pistols. But none operate with the smoothness, have the compactness, or feel as sweet as the one below.

[bergoff]

Ruger mkii would be my first choice. I have over 10000rds through mine and its been great. Nothing like hitting beer bottles at 75yds!!

[Jackhammer]

If learning the trigger on your .45 is your goal, nothing is better for that than a .22 conversion. My buddy has a Kimber conversion on his SA Mil Spec and it works very well, very accurate as well. Seems to have actually smoothed out his trigger pull from all the pulls that it gets.

I have the Kadet .22 conversion for my 9mm CZ75 and it has been a big help mastering the trigger.

I love my Mark II but it does little to help with other firearms.

[oldrifleman]

I have a variety of 22s (buck mark, mosquito, s&w 41, ruger (revolvers)) first pistol was a Ruger mk1. Love the 41 and buck mark best. Steven